hanker
pronunciation
How to pronounce hanker in British English:
UK [ˈhæŋkə(r)]
How to pronounce hanker in American English:
US [ˈhæŋkɚ]
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- Verb:
- desire strongly or persistently
Word Origin
- hanker (v.)
- c. 1600, "linger in expectation;" 1640s, "have a longing or craving for," of unknown origin. Probably from Flemish hankeren, related to Dutch hunkeren "to hanker, to long for," which is perhaps an intensive or frequentative of Middle Dutch hangen "to hang" (see hang (v.)). If so, the notion is of "lingering about" with longing or craving. Compare English hang (v.) in hang on (someone's) every word. Related: Hankered; hankering.
Example
- 1. His ideas are far more rigorous and relevant than the nostalgic great britons narrative for which some still hanker .
- 2. They also hanker for advisers to provide a customised , disciplined investment process similar to what most large institutions command .
- 3. If we continue to hanker for economic ' miracles ' , we must be prepared to pay a high price in future .
- 4. But other israelis who still hanker after a greater israel , with the west bank fully integrated into the jewish state , smell an opportunity to put the pa out of its misery and grab the lot .
- 5. Many french would wish the world to be other than it is , and hanker after a version of " socialism in one country " or a monochrome 1950s paradise .